News

Police calls: Couple steals 20 wallets from Village Stationers

This information is based on reports from the Menlo Park Police Department. Under the law, people charged with offenses are considered innocent unless convicted. Police received the reports on the dates shown.

MENLO PARK

Commercial burglaries:

■ After walking into the Village Stationers on Santa Cruz Avenue, a woman allegedly acted as a distraction to employees while her companion, a man, put about 20 wallets in his backpack. They left without paying for the wallets and headed off in opposite directions. Estimated loss: $1,500. Sept. 3.

■ Someone pried open a side door to the Menlo Medical Clinic on Crane Street and stole a safe containing about $200 in cash and checks. Sept. 5.

Residential burglaries:

■ A desktop computer, pillowcase and class ring were stolen from a home on Sharon Road after someone broke in through the front door. Estimated loss: $600. Sept. 10.

■ Someone entered a home in the 800 block of Willow Road through the open front door and stole a cellphone and a wallet with $100 in cash in it. Estimated loss: $490. Sept. 3.

■ Police arrested and booked into county jail Matthew Esseleerny, 32, of East Palo Alto on charges that include possession of illegal drugs and burglary tools. A resident of Callie Lane reported seeing a man walking around checking vehicle doors to see if they were unlocked. The man rode off on a bicycle when confronted by the resident, who later identified the man for police. Sept. 10.

■ Two vehicles, one parked on Laurel Street and another on University Drive, were reported as having Apple iPods stolen, though in both cases, it's not clear how the thieves entered the vehicle. A pair of shoes were also stolen in the University Drive incident. Estimated losses: $600 and $480. Sept. 2 and 3.

Thefts:

■ A cellphone was stolen from the desk of someone located on Elder Avenue. Estimated loss: $850. Sept. 7.

■ Two packages, each containing a suitcase, were stolen from the front porch of a home on University Drive. Estimated loss: $340. Sept. 1.

■ Someone stole a package of clothing from the porch of a home on Yale Road. Estimated loss: $265. Aug. 31.

■ A front tire, two baskets and a right pedal were stolen from a bicycle parked on Coleman Avenue. Aug. 31.

■ A package containing a desk planner was stolen from the front porch of a home on University Drive. Estimated loss: $40. Aug. 31.

■ Someone stole a check from the mailbox of a home on University Drive. Aug. 31.

Fraud:

■ A resident of Willow Road sent $700 as a security deposit for a set of keys to a house for rent that had been advertised online but found to be a duplicate of a legitimate ad with different contact information. Sept. 4.

■ A resident of the 3000 block of Sand Hill Road sent $499 via a purchased debit card to someone claiming to represent Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. and alleging that the resident's bill had not been paid. Sept. 4.